February 2019 - HTS Therapy

Engaging Acute Care Prior to PDPM

Education on PDPM

HTS is actively scheduling PDPM education for hospitals and physicians to keep valued referral sources and community partners informed on the pending change and how it will affect them and their post-acute partners. More specifically, this education will emphasize how important it is to have accurate, thorough, and timely patient information prior to the admission. By utilizing tools such as CliniSign, which captures an electronic signature of the physician and EMR cross-communication, we are on track to engage all parties in the joint goal of successful implementation of PDPM.

“It’s important that we give our hospitals and physicians early education on PDPM so that they understand the significance of this new reimbursement model and how it will impact care delivery. This also keeps them apprised of any significant provider behavior changes that could negatively impact quality of care and potentially increase preventable hospital readmissions.” -Amanda Green, Executive Director of Strategic Development

We would be happy to provide complimentary training. If you would like us to schedule time to meet with your acute care providers and physicians, contact us at info@htstherapy.com.

February 15, 2019/0 Comments

Blog

The Benefits of Good Posture

The way you hold your body is posture and the way you move your body is body mechanics. There are correct ways to hold your body when you stand, walk, sit, lift and even sleep. Proper posture allows us to move in the way we want, causing our bodies the least amount of strain and damage. Adapting proper posture is an essential part to maintaining a healthy skeletal structure as you age.

REDUCE PAIN – Poor posture puts extra pressure on your discs and vertebrae and leads to injury and pain.
BREATHE EASIER – Good posture allows more space for your lungs to expand.
INCREASE ENERGY – When muscles are being used more efficiently it allows your body to use less energy.
IMPROVE BALANCE – Posture is part of balance. With age, your body tends to lean forward which makes you unstable and increases your risk for falling.

Improve Your Posture with Physical Therapy

A physical therapist can help correct and improve your posture by designing an individualized program of exercises and activities with an emphasis on strength, flexibility, and proper gait. Your balance may be improved with exercises that strengthen the core, back, ankle, knee, and hip muscles along with exercises that improve the function of the balance system. Exercises that are focused on improving posture will stretch tight muscles and keep joints strong. If you have concerns about your posture, call your doctor and ask if physical therapy can help.

February 7, 2019/3 Comments

Blog, PDPM, Training

Power Through PDPM

By: Cassie Murray, OTR, ,QCP, Chief Operating Officer

It is no secret that PDPM will be a significant change for providers. HTS has successfully traversed reimbursement changes alongside our partners in the past and emerged strong. We were prepared to tackle the challenge while maintaining the highest quality of care. PDPM will be no different. HTS has a plan for success. When our partners succeed under the new SNF reimbursement methodology, we succeed. The core elements of the new model press us, as direct caregivers, to essentially return to our “roots” by focusing all care decisions based on patient conditions and needs.

Revenue will no longer be based on managing therapy minutes, but will be directly aligned with patient care delivery. HTS therapists are passionate about individualized clinical profiles and meeting the care needs associated with specific patient characteristics. This change in philosophy will assist in breaking down the unintentional silos built around departments and is an opportunity to promote collaboration with strategic clinical programs and processes. We understand that the PDPM transition is likely to put an extra level of stress on nursing and MDS—who will be under pressure to understand all of the intricacies of PDPM including coding and special rules such as the interrupted stay policy and variable per diem adjustment. The pressure is definitely on as the nursing role in reimbursement rises to the top of the pile. But not to worry, HTS’s partners will have access to exceptional resources and training opportunities as we navigate this change together.

We remain optimistic that quality care, remarkable customer service, and appropriate reimbursement will be achieved under the new model. As partners in therapy, our clients are confident in our resources and unmatched expertise to navigate this change while working together toward a successful transition from RUGs IV to PDPM.